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And Sheppard certainly hasn't given up on starting, as the Eagles begin focusing on their season opener Sunday at home against St. Louis. If the first thing can't happen, then the second becomes much more important. If you assume, as most people do, that Lito will have to play effectively for the Eagles this year and stay healthy in order for a trade to work out after the season, obviously, not starting will undercut Sheppard's demands for a state-of-the-art contract, wherever he goes.
Hence the campaign to emphasize that Lito, a two-time Pro Bowl corner, is a deserving starter, which actually began with a Rosenhaus video last week. (The link: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fevz4-1OS4s.)
Rosenhaus' client picked up the torch after yesterday's practice.
"I think my role is still undetermined right now,'' Sheppard said. "I feel fine, I feel great, I feel healthy, I feel ready to play this season, but as to my role, that has yet to be determined . . . Me not starting, that's the biggest propaganda.''
Someone mentioned to Sheppard that the Eagles list $57 million free-agent signee Asante Samuel and returning starter Sheldon Brown as their left and right corners, respectively. Sheppard and Joselio Hanson are listed as the backups, though defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has said he plans to play a lot of nickel, which would involve all three of the marquee corners.
"I think [that's the case], as of now," Sheppard said. Sheppard said he is focusing on positives, such as, "I can definitely showcase my talents, and if I'm not starting, prove that I should be, so you guys can ask the question why I'm not."
In fact, Sheppard, despite majoring in sociology at Florida, instead of journalism, had a suggestion for reporters.
"That's a good question, you should ask that right now,'' Sheppard said, when reporters asked him why he felt he wasn't starting. "Given the reasons supposedly - my injuries, me not being able to stay on the field - with that not being an issue [currently], what is the issue? That's a good question for y'all to bring up.''
Of course, Sheppard's 14 missed games the past three seasons were an issue when the Eagles declined to rework his contract, and when they went out and signed Samuel, who immediately was named the starting left corner. No one has said Sheppard isn't healthy now, or has given any reason as to why Brown is starting ahead of him.
Rosenhaus, meanwhile, used his video platform to recount Sheppard's travails, culminating in "the disappointment of the team starting Sheldon Brown and relegating Lito to being the third cornerback.''
"It's very frustrating for Lito. He is a Pro Bowl-caliber player. He is one of the premier players in the league at his position. He has shown a great deal of poise, composure and class with the way he has handled this situation,'' Rosenhaus said. "All bets are off. We're going to have to take it one day at a time. Certainly, it's not a positive situation, and my client should be starting."
Sheppard said he does not feel his dissatisfaction will affect his play.
Last month, the Eagles said defensive end Victor Abiamiri's wrist injury would be re-evaluated at the end of the preseason. Well, the preseason's over. Abiamiri said yesterday he has a Sept. 15 doctor's appointment that he hopes will give him a definite timetable for his return . . . The Eagles did not provide any injury updates yesterday. Over the weekend, general manager Tom Heckert indicated he thought guard Max Jean-Gilles would be OK for the season opener, which was surprising, given that Jean-Gilles left the field last Thursday unable to put any weight on his sprained left knee . . . In case you somehow missed it, the Eagles cut defensive end Jerome McDougle, who then was signed by the Giants. The Eagles then cut linebacker Rocky Boiman and brought back ex-Eagles linebacker Tank Daniels, who had been cut by the Giants. The Birds' eight-man practice squad is as follows: cornerback Kyle Arrington, fullback Jed Collins, defensive tackle Mike Marquardt, wide receiver Shaheer McBride, tackle Chris Patrick, wide receiver Willie Reid, linebacker Andy Studebaker and cornerback Trae Williams . . . Guard Scott Young, cut by the Birds, was picked up by Cleveland. *
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